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Journalist Glenn Frankel talks about a chapter of paranoia and persecution in America, in which the president, Congress, the courts and the press all played a part. Frankel's book is about the Hollywood Blacklist and the making of the classic film 'High Noon,' which was written as a parable about the blacklist. Also, to mark Black History Month, Penguin Press is reprinting six books from the Harlem Renaissance. Maureen Corrigan has an appreciation.

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Jenkins is nominated for an Oscar for his performance in Guillermo del Toro's latest film, which is about a mute woman who falls in love with a sea creature. The actor started his career on the stage, and didn't get a movie role until he was in his 30s. Also, jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews a box set of recordings of pianist Teddy Wilson wi ...…

Growing up in rural Idaho, Tara Westover had no birth certificate, never saw a doctor and didn't go to school. Her deeply religious parents stockpiled food and weapons for a government invasion or the end of the world. In her new memoir, 'Educated,' Westover writes about how she defied her parents, and made her way to college and graduate schoo ...…

'Mister Rogers' Neighborhood' had its first national broadcast on public television 50 years ago. TV critic David Bianculli has an appreciation. And we listen back to Rogers' interview with Terry Gross in 1984. Also, actor Doug Jones, who is a frequent collaborator of Guillermo del Toro's, tells Sam Briger about playing the fish man in the Osca ...…

Religion scholar Kate Bowler used to believe God had a plan for her life. Then, at 35, she was diagnosed with incurable stage-4 colon cancer. "I really had to rethink what trust and hope looks like," she says. Her new memoir is 'Everything Happens For A Reason (And Other Lies I've Loved).' Also, critic Ken Tucker reviews the 'Black Panther' sou ...…

The real-life couple co-wrote the romantic comedy 'The Big Sick,' which stars Nanjiani, and is based on their own relationship. The movie is nominated for an Academy Award for best original screenplay. Also, we remember cabaret singer Wesla Whitfield, who died last week at the age of 70. She spoke with Terry Gross in 1988.…

'New Yorker' staff writer Jonathan Blitzer says President Trump uses the notorious gang to paint a portrait of rampant criminality among immigrants — and "as a stand-in for immigrants generally." He also talks with Terry Gross about the uncertain fate of DACA, and the Senate debate on overhauling immigration policy. Also, David Edelstein review ...…

Finn Murphy has logged over a million miles hauling people's belongings across the country. His new memoir, 'The Long Haul,' is filled with insights about life on the road, and the subculture of truckers. Also, critic Ken Tucker reviews the 'Black Panther' soundtrack, which features Kendrick Lamar, The Weeknd, and SZA.…

After chief strategist Steve Bannon was ousted from the Trump White House in August, Joshua Green was the first journalist he called. Green's best-selling book about Bannon's role in Trump's election, 'Devil's Bargain,' might've played a part in his exit. We talk with Green about what Bannon thinks of #MeToo, the future of the nationalist movem ...…

Religion scholar Kate Bowler used to believe God had a plan for her life. Then, at 35, she was diagnosed with incurable stage-4 colon cancer. "I really had to rethink what trust and hope looks like," she says. Her new memoir, 'Everything Happens For A Reason (And Other Lies I've Loved),' is about how her illness has affected her faith.…

Maggie O'Farrell has survived some terrifying episodes. Her new memoir, 'I Am, I Am, I Am,' details 17 near-death experiences, and what she's learned from them. Also, to mark Black History Month, Penguin Press is reprinting six books from the Harlem Renaissance. Maureen Corrigan has an appreciation. Comic Jordan Klepper got his big break as a c ...…

Mahoney, best-known for his role on the sitcom 'Frasier,' died Sunday. He joined Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre shortly after he began acting at the age of 37. Mahoney spoke with Terry Gross in 1990. Also, we remember Internet pioneer (and Grateful Dead lyricist) John Perry Barlow. He spoke with Terry Gross in 1996. Film critic David Edelstein r ...…

Writer Robert Draper talks about state-of-the-art surveillance, from closed-circuit TV to drones — and the consequences on our sense of privacy. Draper writes in 'National Geographic' that the proliferation of cameras focused on the public has led "to the point where we're expecting to be voyeur and exhibitionist 24/7."…

Klepper got his big break as a comedian when he was hired to be a correspondent on 'The Daily Show' with Jon Stewart. Now he hosts his own show on Comedy Central called 'The Opposition.' "He creates his own reality," Klepper says of his character, who's modeled after far-right conspiracy theorists like Alex Jones. "He sees the two dots and he f ...…

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Steve Coll warns that there is no end in sight to America's longest war: "Most of the generals ... say in public, 'There's no military solution to this war.'" His new book is 'Directorate S: The C.I.A. and America's Secret Wars in Afghanistan and Pakistan.'

Maggie O'Farrell has survived some terrifying episodes. She's had a machete pressed to her throat during a robbery, once contracted amoebic dysentery while traveling, and nearly bled out while giving birth. Her new memoir 'I Am, I Am, I Am,' details 17 near-death experiences, and what she's learned from them. Also, critic John Powers reviews th ...…

Christian Picciolini spent eight years as a member of a violent, white power skinhead group. He eventually withdrew and co-founded a nonprofit to help extremists disengage. His new book is 'White American Youth.' Fresh Air also spoke with Patrice Banks about her new book, 'Girls Auto Clinic Glove Box Guide.' Banks left a six-figure salary as an ...…

With the Academy Awards only a few weeks away, we're revisiting Terry Gross' interviews with filmmakers Greta Gerwig and Dee Rees. Gerwig, who co-wrote and starred in 'Frances Ha' and 'Mistress America,' makes her directorial debut with the film 'Lady Bird.' It's about a high school senior preparing for college and trying to assert her independ ...…

Robert Mueller started as director of the FBI a week before the Sept. 11 attacks. We talk with journalist Garrett Graff about Mueller's leadership style, his reputation in Washington, and what might happen to the current investigation of the Trump campaign if Mueller is fired as special counsel.

Journalist Glenn Frankel talks about a chapter of paranoia and persecution in America, in which the president, Congress, the courts and the press all played a part. Frankel's book is about the Hollywood Blacklist and the making of the classic film 'High Noon,' which was written as a parable about the blacklist. Also, to mark Black History Month ...…

'Atlantic' journalist Franklin Foer says before Manafort became Trump's campaign manager, he rewrote the rules of lobbying and then became entangled in the world of dictators, oligarchs and dirty money. Foer's article is called 'The Plot Against America.'

Filmmaker Paul Thomas Anderson talks about his new film, 'Phantom Thread,' which stars Daniel Day-Lewis as a renowned and obsessive fashion designer. It's nominated for six Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director. Maureen Corrigan reviews the novel 'The Perfect Nanny,' inspired by a tragic murder of two kids by their nanny. 'New York T ...…

In 1986 Sam Baker was on a train in Peru when a bomb exploded in the luggage rack above him. His body was torn apart, he had a brain injury, and severe hearing loss. Somehow, during his long recovery, songs started coming to him. He spoke with Terry Gross in 2014 about how the bombing changed his life and made him a musician. His new album is ' ...…

Dan Diamond, who covers the Dept. of Health and Human Services for 'Politico,' says the number of HHS leaders who previously worked in the anti-abortion and anti-LGBTQ movement is "unusual and notable." Also, Justin Chang reviews 'Lover for a Day.'

'New York Times' reporter John Leland followed six people above the age of 85 for one year. That series changed his understanding of old age — and inspired his book, 'Happiness is a Choice You Make.' Also, we remember feminist sci-fi and fantasy writer Ursula Le Guin. She died this week at 88. Le Guin spoke with Terry Gross in 1989 about the ch ...…

Set in 1950s London, Anderson's new film features Daniel Day-Lewis as a renowned and obsessive fashion designer. The director says he was inspired by fashion icons like Christian Dior and Cristobal Balenciaga. He spoke with Terry Gross about ghosts, the importance of music in the film, and making sewing exciting on camera. 'Phantom Thread' has ...…

Harvard professors Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt are experts in what makes democracies healthy — and what leads to their collapse. They warn that American democracy is in trouble. Ken Tucker reviews Charli XCX's album 'Pop 2,' and book critic Maureen Corrigan reviews 'The Perfect Nanny,' by award-winning Moroccan-French author Leïla Slimani.…

The Netflix series 'The Crown,' now in its second season, centers on a young Queen Elizabeth II and the royal family. Creator Peter Morgan talks about how he works with a team of researchers to reconstruct history, and how he takes creative liberties. Also, TV critic David Bianculli discusses the comeback of the anthology series. Finally, we sp ...…

Frank, who died this week, created the radio drama series 'Work in Progress' and was known for his intimate on-air monologues, sketches, and interviews. He spoke with Terry Gross in 1989. Also, we talk with Daniel Ellsberg. He leaked the Pentagon Papers to the press in 1971, in hopes they would help end the Vietnam War. He is portrayed in the n ...…

Christian Picciolini spent eight years as a member of a violent, white power skinhead group. He eventually withdrew and co-founded a nonprofit to help extremists disengage. His new book is 'White American Youth.'

Medical journalist Jeanne Lenzer warns that implanted medical devices are approved with far less scrutiny and testing than pharmaceutical drugs. As a result, she says, some have caused harm and even death. "Walmart tracks heads of lettuce they have on a shelf at any given time. They know how many they have to replace. They can track those a lot ...…

The Netflix series, now in its second season, centers on a young Queen Elizabeth II and the royal family. One of the figures in the series is Elizabeth's uncle, the former King Edward VIII, who abdicated the throne in 1936 and was ostracized by the family. "What we have here is a fantastic family saga," Morgan says. "And no family is complete w ...…

In 1957, three years after the Supreme Court declared segregated schools unconstitutional, nine black students were chosen by the NAACP to try to integrate Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. The students were met by an angry white mob, and it took the presence of federal troops to get them into class. One of the students was Melba Pa ...…

Actress and writer Lena Waithe made history as the first black woman to win an Emmy for outstanding comedy writing, for her work on Aziz Ansari's Netflix series 'Master of None.' Now she's lending her voice to a new Showtime series, 'The Chi,' set in the South Side Chicago. Also, John Powers reviews 'The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,' a Golden Globe a ...…

Holmes' HBO show 'Crashing' is based on his real life, after his wife left him and he struggled to find his voice onstage. He grew up a devout Christian and says he saw himself as a "Good Boy" comic, not cursing or talking about sex in the early years of his career. "I was basically picturing [Jesus] in the back of the club." Holmes spoke with ...…

Waithe made history as the first black woman to win an Emmy for outstanding comedy writing, for her work on Aziz Ansari's Netflix series 'Master of None.' Now she's lending her voice to a new Showtime series, 'The Chi,' set in the South Side Chicago.

Lee Unkrich and Adrian Molina spent six years creating their animated film about the Day of the Dead, the Mexican holiday on which the living remember their deceased loved ones. The movie is about how the dead remain alive in our hearts as long as we keep them in our memories and tell their stories. 'Coco' just won the Golden Globe for Best Ani ...…

Banks left a six-figure salary as an engineer to pursue her dream of owning an auto shop. She went to technical school, worked for free, and in 2016 she opened Girls Auto Clinic. Her auto shop is staffed with women mechanics, and caters to female customers. Her new book is 'Girls Auto Clinic Glove Box Guide.' Also, book critic Maureen Corrigan ...…

'Vox' drug policy reporter German Lopez details the scope of the opioid epidemic. There were nearly 64,000 lethal drug overdoses in 2016. "To put that in context, that's more than gun deaths. That's more than car crashes. It's more than HIV/AIDS during the peak of that epidemic," Lopez says. Also, WHYY criminal justice reporter Bobby Allyn talk ...…

Neuroscientist Joseph Jebelli says, "Just the last few years alone have seen some serious breakthroughs in Alzheimer's research." His new book is 'The Pursuit of Memory.' Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews 'Face Your Fear,' an album by singer-songwriter Curtis Harding. Also, 'Vanity Fair' editor-at-large Cullen Murphy talks about growing up the son ...…

'Get Out' tells the story of a young black man whose white girlfriend takes him to meet her parents for the first time. Writer-director Jordan Peele, who calls the movie a "social thriller," says, "It was very important to me to just get the entire audience in touch in some way with the fears inherent [in] being black in this country," Peele sa ...…

Neal Katyal wrote the special counsel regulations when he worked for the Clinton administration. He lays out the legal issues that could arise if Trump tries to interfere with the Mueller investigation. Also rock critic Ken Tucker reviews a new box set of Louisiana Hayride performances from the '50s.…

'New Yorker' staff writer Evan Osnos talks about how China learned to use President Trump to its advantage. He says that as the president withdraws the U.S. from commitments around the globe, strategists in Beijing see an opening. Osnos also explains why China's president thinks flattery is the way to win over Trump.…

"Just the last few years alone have seen some serious breakthroughs in Alzheimer's research," neuroscientist Joseph Jebelli says. His new book is 'The Pursuit of Memory.' Book critic Maureen Corrigan shares an appreciation of "alphabet" mystery writer Sue Grafton, who died last week. We'll also hear an excerpt of her 1989 interview with Terry G ...…

Our Best of 2017 series comes to an end with actor Jonathan Groff. He stars in the Netflix series 'Mindhunter' as an FBI agent trying to understand the minds of serial killers. He played King George III in Broadway's 'Hamilton,' had a recurring role on 'Glee,' and did the voice of iceman Kristoff in 'Frozen.'…

Nashville singer-songwriter Margo Price pawned her wedding ring — and her husband sold their car — to pay for the recording studio to make her 2016 debut album, 'Midwest Farmer's Daughter.' Now she's released her second album, 'All American Made,' an overtly political and feminist record that grapples with the current political climate. Book cr ...…

Our Best of 2017 series continues with 'Daily Show' correspondent Hasan Minhaj. He describes himself as a "third-culture kid" who doesn't fully belong in either the world of his parents or that of his hometown of Davis, Calif. Also we'll hear from 'Late Night' host Seth Meyers. He spent spent 13 years at 'Saturday Night Live,' first as a perfor ...…

Our Best of 2017 series continues with best-selling novelist John Le Carré. The 85-year-old writer is familiar with the moral tension inherent to working in the espionage community: "I felt I had to suppress my humanity," Le Carre says of his time as a spy. His latest book is 'A Legacy of Spies.' Also, jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews an alb ...…

As 2017 comes to a close, we're listening back to some of our favorite interviews from this year. After the sudden death of his wife in April 2016, comic Patton Oswalt felt his life slipping away. He talks about grief, returning to comedy, and falling in love again. His new Netflix special is 'Patton Oswalt: Annihilation.'…

As 2017 comes to a close, we're listening back to some of our favorite interviews from this year. Lin-Manuel Miranda is the man behind the Broadway sensation 'Hamilton,' a hip-hop musical about the founding fathers. Miranda discusses his Tony and Pulitzer prize-winning project, as well as his role in the Disney animated film 'Moana.' This inter ...…

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